Network Rail completes key milestone in Derbyshire railway upgrade

Published on : Thursday, December 22, 2016

Network Rail has completed a key milestone in a project to reconstruct Awsworth Road Bridge in Ilkeston.The bridge was demolished over the weekend and a new, ready-made bridge deck was installed. The new bridge deck gives a new lease of life to the 116-year-old structure.

Work on the bridge began in September, and will be completed in April, 2017. This upgrade is a vital part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan, to deliver a bigger and better railway for passengers. Once completed, residents and businesses can benefit from a stronger bridge.

As well as ensuring that the bridge will last another hundred years, the upgrade will also deliver an improved road across the bridge, giving drivers better visibility on approach. The full road closure which is currently in place will remain until the end of March 2017.

Chris Chatfield, project manager at Network Rail, said: “When completed, this project will create a better bridge for all users. It’s a key step in our plan to upgrade infrastructure to improve journeys and move freight from road to rail.

“I’d like to thank the residents of Ilkeston for their patience whilst this work is carried out and hope that they will enjoy the benefits when the upgrade is completed.”